Bitch Media - anti-gayhttp://bitchmagazine.org/taxonomy/term/8080/0
enDouchebag Decree: Barbara MacEwen & the Haters of New Yorkhttp://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-barbara-macewen-and-haters
<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/3008635758_a8c6604670.jpg" alt="ye olde douchebag decree in royal blue letters over a baby blue drawing of a douchebag. Underneath, in small red letters, is type reading &quot;BITCH HEREBY DECLARES THE FOLLOWING PERSON A TOTAL DOUCHEBAG.&quot;" width="494" height="199" /></p>
<p>Still thrilled about New York's victory for marriage equality? Yep, me too. I wish I could have finished off Pride month in the Big Apple amongst millions of ecstatic fellow QUILTBAGs.</p>
<p>You know who's not as happy, though? Douchebaggery all-stars like <a title="The Colbert Report: The Colbert Coalition's Anti-Gay Marriage Ad" href="http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/224789/april-16-2009/the-colbert-coalition-s-anti-gay-marriage-ad">big-gay-storm</a>-fearers NOM (which stands for National Organization for Marriage, and yes, they often write it as "NOM") and the <a title="Joe. My. God.: Wingnuts Call On California's County Clerks To Refuse Marriage Licenses To Gays" href="http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2008/05/wingnuts-call-on-californias-county.html">Campaign for Children and Their Families</a>. Both of these hateful, misleadingly named groups have been thorns in activists' sides for awhile, but now, <a title="Waking Up Now: Barbara MacEwen, Religious Liberty, and Special Rights [WARNING for discussion of hate crimes.]" href="http://wakingupnow.com/blog/barbara-macewen-religious-liberty-and-special-rights">NOM has a new heroine and faux-"casualty": Barbara MacEwen</a>, the town clerk for Volney, New York.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5911174033_0519f66333.jpg" alt="Barbara MacEwen, an elderly white woman white short grey hair and glasses, sits at a desk staring at the camera with a slight smile." align="left" width="277" height="297" hspace="5" /></p>
<p>Barbara MacEwen's signature has been required on all Volney marriage certificates for a whopping eighteen years. Though she hopes to be reelected for a fifth term, MacEwen made an announcement last week: On July 24, she intends to stop doing her job.</p>
<p>In other words, <a title="The Syracuse Post-Standard: Central New York officials, religious leaders prepare for same-sex marriage law to go into effect" href="http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/officials_religious_leaders_pr.html">she intends to not put her signature on same-sex couples' marriage licenses</a>.</p>
<p>Currently, those marrying in Volney <em>must</em> go through MacEwen. Despite a few conveniently vague comments about God, it's safe to assume it's occurred to MacEwen that such a stunt might prevent same-sex marriages from happening there at all. Luckily, although New York's new <a title="POLITICO: Cuomo signs New York gay marriage bill" href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57749.html">legislation reportedly gives exemptions to anti-gay religious organizations</a>, there is no such option for public officials. What she plans to do is not allowed.</p>
<p>I have a special fury for people who oppose marriage equality (seriously, WHY?), especially when they grapple for an excuse in religion... or when they act as if <em>our </em>marriages make <em>them</em> a victim. This week, Barbara joins many other hateful figures in the Hall of Douche.</p>
<p>Don't worry, though: <a title="Pam's House Blend: Iran's Ahmadinejad: 'In Iran we don't have homosexuals'" href="http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3079">Taking a page from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad</a>, MacEwen doesn't think Those People have infiltrated Volney anyway. In a much-reprinted soundbite <a title="POLITICO: N.Y. town clerk: I won't sign gay wedding license" href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57936.html">for POLITICO, she hastened to say</a>, "I don't know of anybody like that in my town. I'm sure that there might be, but I haven't heard about anybody."</p>
<p>Gee, I wonder why the QUILTBAGs she knows aren't out to her.</p>
<p>As usual when it comes to queer rights, those who support these sentiments about New York's progress are talking about anything <em>but </em>queer rights. MacEwen's calculated statement, "I don't feel I should be forced into something that's against my morals and my God" attempts to frame her opposition as being about something more salient than homophobia, namely freedom of religion. Here's the thing, though: When a person's job is, explicitly, to sign documents for couples that can married by the laws of New York, religion does not enter into it. Far-right groups such as the Heritage Foundation want clerks like her to have <a title="The Heritage Foundation: Conscience Rights [WARNING: Mega-douchery!]" href="http://blog.heritage.org/2011/04/19/conscience-rights-the-new-frontline-in-the-culture-war/">"conscience" amendments</a>, which, as <a title="Feministe: Of course." href="http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2011/06/29/of-course/">Jill Filipovic points out, is awfully similar to the anti-choicers' goal</a> to enable doctors and pharmacists to refuse to provide life-saving abortions, morning-after pills, or, well, whatever they feel like refusing.</p>
<p>So, what's next? The only part that seems clear at this point is that Barbara MacEwen will not succesfully thwart Volney's marriage-minded couples. Is she resigning? Being fired? Working toward <a title="LGBTQ Nation: Town clerk balks at issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples" href="http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/06/town-clerk-balks-at-issuing-marriage-licenses-to-same-sex-couples/">enabling a deputy to sign for her?</a> Putting aside her bigotry and doing her job?</p>
<p>I guess we'll find out at the end of the month. In any case, MacEwen &amp; co., the joke's on you. Though sometimes slowly, progress is being made, and a Central Park's worth of douchebags couldn't obscure that.</p>
<p><em>Photo via the Syracuse Post-Standard.</em></p>
<p>Read more:<br />
Central New York officials, religious leaders prepare for same-sex marriage law to go into effect [<a href="http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/officials_religious_leaders_pr.html">The Syracuse Post-Standard</a>]<br />
NY Town Clerk refuses to sign same-sex marriage certificates [<a href="http://www.lefthudson.com/2011/06/ny-town-clerk-refuses-to-issue-same-sex.html#more">Left of the Hudson</a>]<br />
Town clerk balks at issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples [<a href="http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/06/town-clerk-balks-at-issuing-marriage-licenses-to-same-sex-couples/">LGBTQ Nation</a>]<br />
Of course. [<a href="http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2011/06/29/of-course/">Feministe</a>]<br />
Barbara MacEwen, Religious Liberty, and Special Rights [<a title="WARNING for discussion of hate crimes." href="http://wakingupnow.com/blog/barbara-macewen-religious-liberty-and-special-rights">Waking Up Now</a>]</p>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-barbara-macewen-and-haters#commentsanti-gaygay marriageNOMreligionSocial CommentaryThu, 07 Jul 2011 16:36:33 +0000Deb Jannerson11128 at http://bitchmagazine.orgDouchebag Decree: Clint McCancehttp://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-clint-mccance
<p><a title="douchedecree by bitch_magazine, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitchmagazine/3008635758/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/3008635758_a8c6604670.jpg" alt="douchedecree" height="199" width="494" /></a></p>
<p>It's Dia de los Douches here at Bitch HQ, and <a href="http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2010/10/29/arkansas-school-board-bigot-clint-mccance-resigns" target="_blank">Clint McCance</a>, anti-gay bigot and former school board member in Arkansas, is our Master of Ceremonies this afternoon. McCance posted the <a href="http://www.advocate.com/News/News_Features/Arkansas_School_Board_Member_Thinks_Fags_Should_Die/" target="_blank">following</a> on his facebook page in response to <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday" target="_blank">Spirit Day</a> at the end of October (TRIGGER warning- warped thinking AND warped grammar):</p>
<blockquote><p>Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid...[B]eing a fag doesn't give you the right to ruin the rest of our lives. If you get easily offended by being called a fag then dont tell anyone you are a fag. Keep that shit to yourself. I dont care how people decide to live their lives. They dont bother me if they keep it to thereselves. It pisses me off though that we make a special purple fag day for them. I like that fags cant procreate. I also enjoy the fact that they often give each other aids and die.</p></blockquote>
<p>Clint, I also cannot believe that the people of this world (i.e. YOU and your homophobic ilk) have gotten this stupid.</p>
<p>In the responses on McCance's facebook page, a commenter mentioned that Christianity <em>might not</em> actually encourage hate speech, and that Clint should think of his own kids instead of condemning others. Clinty-poo fired back:</p>
<blockquote><p>I would disown my kids they were gay. They will not be welcome at my home or in my vicinity. I will absolutely run them off. Of course my kids will know better. My kids will have solid christian beliefs. See it infects everyone.</p></blockquote>
<p>McCance was responding to the <a href="http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/10/01/national-lgbt-community-reeling-from-4th-teen-suicide-in-a-month/" target="_blank">cluster</a> of LGBTQ suicides that occurred this fall.</p>
<p>Before we all throw our computers out the window, though, let's get to some of the tasty reprecussions McCance is facing. First, the Midland School Board in Arkansas <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1324450/Clint-McCances-Facebook-post-urged-gay-youths-commit-suicide.html" target="_blank">wasted no time</a> in coming out (pun intended) against the statements. And, in the BEST NEWS OF ALL, McCance announced that he would <a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-28/us/arkansas.anti.gay.resignation_1_comments-gay-news-suicide?_s=PM:US" target="_blank">resign</a> from his job while <a href="http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2010/10/29/arkansas-school-board-bigot-clint-mccance-resigns" target="_blank">getting schooled</a> (ha!) on Anderson Cooper's CNN show. This, after a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fire-Clint-McCance/170421922968484" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> was started calling for McCance to lose his job. Some prize moments from the CNN interview:</p>
<blockquote><p>AC: What do you feel like you're apologizing for, exactly?</p>
<p>CM: It was over the top, Anderson. I just went too far with it. I don't really believe anyone should commit suicide [...]</p>
<p>AC: I wanna ask you just some of the specifics. I mean, you use those words, like fag and queer. Are those words you use a lot, and do you you think it's acceptable to use those words? Or do you understand why those words might hurt a gay kid in your school district? [...]</p>
<p>CM: sure, I completely agree with that. I know they're hurtful words. I uh, I picked the wrong words to use... I didn't bring honor to what I was about.</p>
<p>AC: Do you have any idea the pain and fear you've caused, maybe to kids in your own school district? [...]</p>
<p>CM: You know, Anderson, that's a "what if." I don't know.</p>
<p>...<br />
AC: Because you did say that you like it when gay people get AIDS and die.</p>
<p>CM: You know, that was, Anderson, once again, that was in response to some comments that were made. I made, uh, I used the wrong words.</p></blockquote>
<p>So Clint was a broken record, (one which, you may have noticed, didn't actually apologize for his statements; only that he "used the wrong words" to express a view he clearly stil holds.) and Anderson put him on the hook and kept him there until he announced he would resign. It's hard to watch the interview because McCance is so clearly incompetent, and SO CLEARLY NOT REALLY SORRY, but I highly recommend watching it to remind yourself that there are journalists out there doing their jobs.</p>
<p>Of course, the <a href="http://www.itgetsbetterproject.com/" target="_blank">It Gets Better</a> and the <a href="http://makeitbetterproject.org/">Make It Better</a> projects are also going strong in support of LGBTQ youth who are the victims of bullying and suicidal thoughts.</p>
<p>Seriously, Clint McCance. Get a life, learn to spell, stay away from our education system, and beware the wrath of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKvhtB3PP1E&amp;feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">George Takei</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uKvhtB3PP1E?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-clint-mccance#commentsanti-gayDouchebagDouchebag DecreepoliticiansSocial CommentaryThu, 04 Nov 2010 21:58:03 +0000Katie Presley6836 at http://bitchmagazine.orgDouchebag Decree: George Rekers, Gay Gay-Haterhttp://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-george-rekers-gay-gay-hater
<p><center><img src="/sites/default/files/douchebag_decree.jpg" width="494" height="199" alt="douchebag_decree.jpg" /></center><br />
File it under "No Longer Surprising," but yet another anti-gay douchebag has turned out to be... wait for it... GAY!!! Baptist Minister <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/05/05/2010-05-05_top_antigay_christian_activist_and_minister_george_alan_rekers_linked_to_gay_esc.html">George Rekers</a> was caught out not only entertaining a male escort, but entertaining him on a ten-day trip to Europe! Oh, and the kicker? Though Rekers claims the man was just there to help him <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/05/04/whatever-lifts-your-luggage-george">"lift his luggage"</a> (yeah, that sounds sexual to me too) he hired his "luggage lifter" from the male escort service <a href="http://www.rentboy.com/Splash.aspx?ReturnUrl=/default.aspx">rentboy.com</a>! Yeah, I'm not buying that he thought it was a site for the hiring of "luggage lifters."</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/05/06/alg_abs_rekers_inset.jpg" /></p>
<p><i>It's OK! I'm not gay, I just don't like carrying my own bags."</i></p>
<p>For some more background on this sordid tale, check out this Alpha Dog segment from <i>The Colbert Report</i></p>
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<td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;'><a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com'>The Colbert Report</a></td>
<td style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; text-align:right; font-weight:bold;'>Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c</td>
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<td style='padding:2px 1px 0px 5px;' colspan='2'<a target='_blank' style='color:#333; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/308752/may-05-2010/alpha-dog-of-the-week---george-rekers'>Alpha Dog of the Week - George Rekers<a></a></td>
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<td colspan='2' style='padding:2px 5px 0px 5px; width:360px; overflow:hidden; text-align:right'><a target='_blank' style='color:#96deff; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/'>www.colbertnation.com</a></td>
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<td style='padding:0px;' colspan='2'><embed style='display:block' src='http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:308752' width='360' height='301' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='window' allowFullscreen='true' flashvars='autoPlay=false' allowscriptaccess='always' allownetworking='all' bgcolor='#000000'></embed></td>
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<td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/full-episodes/'>Colbert Report Full Episodes</a></td>
<td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.indecisionforever.com'>Political Humor</a></td>
<td style='padding:3px; width:33%;'><a target='_blank' style='font:10px arial; color:#333; text-decoration:none;' href='http://www.colbertnation.com/video/tag/Fox+News'>Fox News</a></td>
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<p>So yeah, this douche is a co-founder of <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Family+Research+Council">The Family Research Council</a> (an anti-gay org) who has alleged that gay couples <a href="http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=ab3efae8-b9bf-4269-828b-13604acaa059">are more likely to commit suicide</a>. I think it's fair that from now on we just assume that anyone who makes outrageous claims about gay couples is a closeted gay person him/herself. That will save everyone a lot of embarrassment (by "everyone" I mean "the gay gay-haters").</p>
<p>But this story gets waaay wackier. I don't even know where to begin! How 'bout a quick timeline (I'm trying to get these in the right order, but the important thing is THEY ALL HAPPENED/ARE HAPPENING):</p>
<p>• George Rekers is <a href="http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2010-05-06/news/christian-right-leader-george-rekers-takes-vacation-with-rent-boy/1">seen at the Miami Airport with a male escort</a>.</p>
<p>• George Rekers claims the man was hired to help him "lift his luggage."</p>
<p>• Pics from the airport show Rekers <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/05/05/photo-of-george-rekers-lifting-his-own-luggage">lifting his own luggage</a>.</p>
<p>• The escort himself comes forward and <a href="http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/05/george_rekers_is_a_homosexual_says_escort.php">says Rekers is indeed a homosexual</a> who knew he was a prostitute and "paid him to provide body rubs once a day in the nude, during their ten-day vacation in Europe." (Ewww...)</p>
<p>• George Rekers claims he was, in fact, <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/05/04/whatever-lifts-your-luggage-george">simply ministering to the gay prostitute</a>, one-on-one. You know, like Jesus would have (except with nude body rubs).</p>
<p>• George Rekers <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/05/05/george-rentboy-rekers-talks-to-teens-about-sex">hosts a blog where he talks to teens about sex</a>!</p>
<p>The list of douchebaggy behavior goes on and on here, folks. For up-to-the-minute coverage, I recommend visiting <a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/">SLOG</a>. Dan Savage is all over this bizness.</p>
<p>Honestly though, George Rekers (and I know you're reading this), couldn't you have just come out of the closet earlier and saved everyone a lot of bullshit? Staying a closeted bigot who attempted to "convert" and oppress gay folks for so many years brought you nothing humiliation and a reputation as a big fucking hypocrite. Oh, and a big, shiny Douchebag Decree. (Maybe you can add it to your rentboy.com profile?)</p>
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/douchebag-decree-george-rekers-gay-gay-hater#commentsanti-gayDouchebag DecreegayGeorge Rekershypocritesrentboy.comwtf?Social CommentaryThu, 06 May 2010 19:45:12 +0000Kelsey Wallace3217 at http://bitchmagazine.org